Turning Trash Into Treasure: RMS Paraprofessional Has A Unique Artistic Talent
by Brooke Meyer, Batavia High School junior and BPS101 Communications Dept. intern
One day while working in an RMS art class, Helen Ratzlow, a special education paraprofessional at Rotolo Middle School for 21 years, noticed students working on a project using mixed media. She mentioned that the art she creates uses mixed media, too, and RMS Art Teacher Melanie Meyer picked up on it.
Mrs. Meyer invited Ms. Ratzlow to come in and share her unique art with RMS art students. She showed them her pieces made with objects found in the hallways of RMS. And, she shared that one of her favorite finds is a Wrigley’ 5 gum wrapper! Since then, students have started saving gum wrappers for her.
Ms. Ratzlow will be showing 10 of her pieces of art at an upcoming show titled, “Recycle, Reuse, Rebirth.” The art show is Fri., April 6 from 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. at Gallery 1904, One East Benton, Aurora. She is also planning to have a piece in the Aurora Art League’s show at the Batavia Public Library on Mon., April 2.
I recently caught up with Ms. Ratzlow to learn more about her artistic side.
Helen Ratzlow, RMS special education paraprofessional
Why do you use all recycled material?
I grew up kind of poor, not dirt poor, just kind of regular working class, tight-budget poor. Clothes were from rummage sales or homemade. Sewing scraps were turned into quilts. We didn’t throw away leftovers. We picked wild fruit in the countryside. It makes me crazy when things are thrown away, when things that could be recycled or reused end up in the garbage. Everyone who knows me, knows I save foil candy wrappers and gum wrappers.
Why do you keep going?
I keep at it because of the magic. Sometimes I make something and I say, ‘It’s okay.’ Or, ‘Well, that’s awful.’ But once in a while, the magic happens and it’s something special.
What media do you use?
[My] found-object collages have a base of acrylic paint. I have also used cloth for life-sized dolls. A tree branch, a run over hubcap, toys, nails, chunks of wood—they have all become something or are in my basement waiting to become something.
How did you become interested in mixed media?
I started painting when my youngest son went to college, just using acrylics. One Christmas, for some reason, everybody gave me chocolates. When I was done eating the chocolate, I was left with different shades of gold foil, which I just couldn’t stand throwing away. At the same time, I had been taking photos of trees. One of them was a little crabapple tree in front of the Depot Museum. She somehow reminded me of a ballerina. I thought if her roots could be clear of the dirt that she would dance. Add to that my preference for deep blue. All of these elements had been floating around in my brain and they just came together. I painted a piece called, “In Heaven the Trees Are Free to Dance.” There’s a creamy white tree, roots and all, floating in deep blue space. The tree has golden leaves. It felt like magic, like I was the first person to harness fire.
What do you like most about art?
I like when I get so deeply into the process that time disappears. I forget to eat, forget to sleep, forget my back aches. That’s when the magic happens.
What inspires your ideas? Why do you use butterflies in you art?
I did an adult/child show with Mrs. Schaeffer’s [RMS social studies teacher] daughter, Lora. Somehow butterflies got in the mix. A few months later, I decided to do another one on my own in black and gold. Butterflies seemed an apt symbol of the rebirth these pieces of trash went through. There are nine in all, with a tenth one started. I’ve done a few frogs as well. I’ve also gone back and added foil to paintings I had done previously.
One of 10 pieces in Helen Ratzlow’s butterfly collection.
How long have you been creating art?
In grade school, I liked to draw. In high school I was in theater and chorus. I tried clay sculpture for a while. I did photography for quite a while. Off and on I have tried writing plays and short stories. But I’ve been painting steadily now for about nine years.
When did you notice you had a passion for art?
I had always been involved in some sort of art. But I was just dabbling, really. I think the passion began when I moved to Aurora and became involved in the art community. There were opportunities to show work in the public. When you are surrounded by other artists, you either pack it in or up your game.
Why did you become a paraprofessional?
I have a BA in anthropology which is a fun, but not particularly useful degree. I have a master’s degree in public health and did health education for many years in New York City and Chicago. But my little family fell apart in the mid ’90s and I ended moving to Batavia, because it reminded me of the town I grew up in. It was a good move, but I ended up falling off my career track. I took a job with Batavia Schools to have the same schedule as my son. I thought I would stay until I could get back on track. It didn’t happen, so I stayed.
What inspires you?
The natural world inspires me. The fact that we are trashing this beautiful world motivates me to try and make it a better place. I would be very happy if one day I could no longer find any gum wrappers or bottle caps or broken pens.
